2008 Audi S8 review
January 12, 2008 by Paul Maric
Dial up ‘dynamic’ via the adjustable air-suspension and the ride lowers and firms up dramatically. This helps the car sit more flat through the corners, but doesn’t offer the handling you would expect of such a machine. It simply feels too large and can’t be thrown around with confidence. This can only be expected though. The S8 is more of a luxury performance saloon than an outright road eater. So for what it is, it does a decent enough job – I guess that’s what an ‘RS 8’ would be for…
The 20-inch wheels (shod with 265/35 tyres all round) aren’t there just for show. An 18-inch braking system is employed to pull the S8’s large mass up. Oh boy…does it do the job or what. The anchors always feel alive and when pushed to wipe off speed, they do so in tremendous fashion. The S8 also uses an electro-hydraulic handbrake to ensure the car doesn’t move an inch when stationary. Carbon ceramic brakes can be optioned on the S8 for $20,000.
The ex-Gallardo engine used to power the S8 produces a hearty 331kW at 7000RPM and 540Nm of torque at 3500RPM. The sprint from 0-100km/h takes just 5.1-seconds – damn quick. The 6-speed tiptronic transmission does a wonderful job of taming the 5.2-litre V10’s torque and uses paddle shifters on the steering wheel for instantaneous gear changes.
Drop the throttle off the line and the quattro AWD systems goes into hyper-mode to shuffle power around the wheels. The end result is back-wrenching delivery of power that seems fake in a sense that it moves a near 2-tonne weight with such haste and prowess. The noise that joins it is pure bliss to the ears. It’s a controlled and subdued sound, but at the heart of it you can hear this V10 ping that just brings satisfaction to anyone around it.
Before you ask. Yes. A car like this has an options list… One of the options is a digital television tuner. This really irritates the bejesus out of me. It’s fitted with an analogue tuner as standard equipment, surely the near flagship model should receive a digital tuner. Other options include reversing camera and electric rear sunshades, all of which should be standard fitment.
good/interseting review – very hard car to define.
What are the headlights – xenon? any good?
The headlights are adaptive bi-xenon.
Each headlight cluster also has 5 LED lights which operate when the parking lights are on, in combination with the LED brake lights.
I have driven one of these on a few occasions. Being black, and with the gaping silver front grille, this one stands out. I agree with Paul entirely. It is a nice place to be, although it just fails to inspire. At 7 10ths, it’s a beautiful GT, but anywhere near the limit, it gets a bit diabolical. The engine is a pearler, and sounds tits, and the brakes are incredible, but thats about where it all ends. Spot on review Paul.
I reckon one of these would have made my 2000km+ round trip at Christmas time an absolute doddle!
“Turning circle: N/A”
Hmmm… Why have a steering wheel then? :)
I watched a segment on Auto Motor und Sport on Channel 31, on the audis fully sick audio system. The audio blokes actually engineered the speakers to echo sounds perfectly for each passenger, using the same ideas in amphitheaters. And the fuel consumption seems almost unbelievable, V10, 4wd and over 2 ton, how did it even achieve 13.4 . Is there a v10 diesel version of one of these?
^Could be a v12 diesel in the pipeline now we know it will fit in the R8!
Sure its a little better quality than a HSV, but for mine rather a TomCat fettled Senator and $150k in my pocket..
WAY overpriced, no better than say a C63 Benz [M3 eater]
Impressive stero if nothing else, AND can have:
“Powered By Lamborgini” on the windscreen! :-)
Cheers
F-O
lcat:
There is a W12 diesel available. The flagship model is the Audi A8 W12.
Frugal One:
Having driven both the E-series Senator and this vehicle, the quality is not only a “little better”, it’s leaps and bounds better.
No, the car isn’t overpriced. You must compare this vehicle to its competition, not a vehicle in HSV’s range. When compared to its competition, it’s some $50,000 cheaper than its nearest rival.
C63…you do understand the C-class is to two model ranges smaller than the A8? The A8’s competition includes the S-class and 7-series.
Paul, i compared the audi [auto union?] to the Senator for a number of reasons:
1.They both have over 300kW
2.Both are the top of the line model for each manufacturer.
3.Performance is similar
4.Both are large and luxo.
I think we should soon see a power boost in the HSV [maybe they can fit the Vette 7L donk] soon as FPV come out with its new range.
One things for sure, the S8 would drop $100k in the first year, a alarming fall really.
Yes the audi is in a different class, but they are offereing similar idea, just the audi is aiming for uber-rich upper clients.
Having said that, i would pay a extra $70k and step up to sister brand Bentley Cont. GT.Now THATS is a impressive beast!
Agree about the C63, its alleged the best sports sedan from Germany yet!
Cheers
F-0
Just a correction there lcat, there is NO W12 diesel, it’s a petrol powered W12 motor (essentially two V6 – petrol – engines fused together).
There is a twin-turbo V8 Diesel available though, which produces some 650Nm of torque.
^ thanks for info Paul
Frugal One:
As I said, I’ve driven both and the Audi is in a totally different league.
You mention they’re both “luxo”. The Senator doesn’t even come close to matching the Audi features list. The Senator is also smaller than the A8 – significantly.
Performance certainly isn’t similar. The 6-speed auto ‘box in the Senator is rubbish compared to the 6-speed used in the S8. The Senator also won’t corner at speed in the wet when compared to the S8.
Finally, the S8 isn’t the top-of-the-line model in the A8 range, that goes to the A8 L W12.
Your estimation of the depreciation of the car is also inaccurate. The S8’s depreciation percentage is actually lower than the Senator’s…
Seriously, the Senator isn’t competition to the S8 and anyone who buys an S8 would laugh at any attempt to compare the two.
When will we Australian motor enthusiasts ever come to a consensus on the issue of Aussie built Vs. German engineered?
From pillar to post Holden has been bragging about its Billion dollar baby, sadly though pouring good money after bad really hasn’t helped the cause. The Holden Commodore and all its offshoots still offer a level of refinement similar to a 2yr old being potty trained. And sadly though [Frugal One] I do not believe looking to the U.S. for a boost will offer much in the way of future stability.
With both General Motors and Ford trying to stay afloat whilst running with huge deficits I doubt that either will be making headlines with groundbreaking advancements or technology anytime soon.
Suffice to say I think this argument is one to rival religious debate and the only logical conclusion I can see on the horizon will come about as the Aussie-Americans fall into liquidation.
Debate aside, the Audi S8 is a powerhouse for the discerning buyer, and hopefully will continue to fly under the radar of the cashed-up Bogan for some years ahead.
Wouldnt you think that a reversing camera would be standard on a car like this!
I like reading your reviews, but 80%+ (too many) of cars reviewed end up in the same band: Four Stars. Makes it harder to understand your judgement. For example, CRV, Outlander, SantaFe, Lancer, etc. all got Four Stars.
But isnt 4 stars in their own cattogory!!
Not a Santa Fe against an Audi for instance!
Maybe the guys need to indicate what their judging them against to help you!
Those Bang & Olufsen speakers on the dash board’s left and right sides are so so cool! This is the gentleman’s pimp mobile!
To Troy: Do us all a favour and remove yourself from the gene pool, moron.